The effect of interleukin 1(IL-1) containing supernatants on murine thymocyte maturation.

IL-1 containing supernatants were produced by E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated adherent human mononuclear cells. Thymocytes from 4--6-week-old BALB/c mice were pretreated with IL-1 containing supernatants or control supernatants. IL-1 containing supernatant pretreated thymocytes when added to enriched splenic B cells increased the proliferative response of these cells after PWM activation. IL-1 pretreated thymocytes furthermore, increased the number of immunoglobulin secreting cells in the mouse splenocyte population, as compared to control supernatant pretreated thymocytes. These results indicate that IL-1 matures thymocytes into predominantly helper cells which augment B cell proliferation and antibody production.